Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project

Federal Crime Victims
Rights Act

The Crime Victims Rights Act, also known as the CVRA, can be found at 18 U.S.C. § 3771 in the United States Code. It was signed into law by President Bush on October 30, 2004. The CVRA created the most comprehensive set of rights for crime victims to date.

The CVRA transformed crime victims from mere pieces of evidence to active participants in the criminal justice process from the moment the crime occurs through the post-conviction process. Prior to the CVRA, victims’ rights were discretionary. The CVRA has made these rights enforceable for all federal crime victims.

This Act also gives victims the following rights in federal criminal cases (18 U.S.C. section 3771):

(1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.

(2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding or any parole proceeding involving the crime, or of any release or escape of the accused.

(3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.

(4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.

(5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.

(6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.

(7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.

(8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.